A selection of websites explaining how Switzerland is structured and how it functions, providing you with the information you will need to form an opinion and exercise your political rights from overseas

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Legalisation of private signatures

If you need to legalise your signature on a document which you must submit to an authority or institution in Switzerland – for example an authorisation for submission to a land register or commercial register, you need to come in person during opening hours to the counter of the Swiss representation with a valid identification document (ID) and the document on which your signature is to be affixed.

If the authentification of your signature is required on a document intended for use in a third country (foreign authority) you will need to contact the foreign representation in this country responsible for your place of domicile for information on the procedures required for the legalisation of a signature. It may be the case however that the foreign authority which has requested authentification of your signature will recognise only legalisation carried out by its own embassy or consulate in the country in question.

In so far as banking is concerned, Swiss banks are required to follow the rules of the Agreement on the Swiss banks' code of conduct with regard to the exercise of due diligence (CDB), which requires them to verify the identity of a client by means of an official document such as a passport.

If the Swiss bank that concerns you has a subsidiary, a branch, a representative, a company in its banking group, or a financial intermediary in your country, it will be able to look after your banking needs directly. The headquarters of your bank in Switzerland will provide you with information on the various possibilities.